Ever wondered about the dinosaurs? They arose from a group of lizard-like animals and cousins of the crocodiles, and went on to dominate the world for one hundred and sixty-five million years. They were as small as chickens, and as large as double-decker buses. They ate grass, meat, each other, and their own children. They were the lions and tigers, the cows and birds, the dogs and cats of the ancient world; they walked the land, swam in the sea and took to the air. And 65 million years ago their story came to an abrupt end. Learn more about the rise an fall of the dinosaurs on this Natural History Museum London Tour for Kids, led by an archeologist trained in visual learning strategies.

• National History Museum London Tour led by an archaeologist
• Learn about dinosaurs in a world class museum
• Hands-on activities for kids

Natural History Museum London Tour for Kids

To make sense of the dinosaurs, we need to look at what came before, and what came after. So this tour covers a vast period of geological time, from the very beginnings of life on earth some four billion years ago, through to the modern diversity of mammals—which has its origins in the dinosaur’s cataclysmic extinction.

The tour starts with a trip through the Earth Galleries, providing a short geological and geographical background to paleontology, followed by a run-through of the evolution of life and the timescales involved. We then progress through the dinosaur paleontology section of the museum, with an introduction to ancient biogeography and dinosaurian anatomy, evolution, diet and behavior. The natural history of the modern world, and how it rushed to fill the gap left by the dinosaurs, will also be examined.

You don’t need to be a scientist to appreciate this tour; all you need is curiosity about the immense variation and splendor of ancient worlds, and to wonder how the planet got to where it is now, and where it is going next.

Looking for more family-friendly tours in London? Try our British Museum for Kids Tour or Tower of London for Kids Tour.

FAQ

Where do we meet? Where do we end?

We will meet near the museum, and end inside the museum. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point, along with a map and emergency phone number.

Is this a walking intensive tour?

The tour moves at a leisurely pace. There are opportunities to sit, and use the restroom if needed.

Pubs and beer are a symbol of British society and tradition as much as tea and cakes and fish and chips. But beyond the stereotypes, do you know what lies behind the tradition of beer and pubs? This 3-hour London Beer and Brewery Tour offers a new perspective and appreciation of beer as we enjoy ample tastings at various pubs and breweries located in the East End London area. Led by a trained food anthropologist with expertise in the beer and brewing industry, we’ll focus on the history of brewing in London, highlighting beer’s evolution from a dietary staple, to the almost lost tradition of cask ales, to today’s renaissance of craft beer and brewing.

• Small group walks of no more than six people.
• London Beer and Brewery Tour led by food anthropologist and beer expert.
• Taste beer in micro-breweries and local pubs

London Beer and Brewery Tour

Our walk, led by a food anthropologist and beer expert, travels through the hip East End of London (also the subject of our London East End Tour), stopping in at a select group of breweries, pubs and beer bars like the Crown and Shuttle and Brewdog, allowing us to become Londoners for a few hours. The exact stops and presentation will vary depending on the docent and group; we may visit what was once the largest brewery in the country, known today as Truman, Hanbury, and Buxton, and discuss the history of brewing in London. Here we can also learn about the history of the East End of London more generally, and how it has changed over time, noting how the culinary and cultural landscape has shifted with the arrival of new immigrants and social groups.

An Art Reemerges

We will discuss the reemergence of brewing, the recent craft beer movement, and the ways in which brewers are experimenting with old recipes to reinvent, redefine, and recreate traditional beer styles. We may also stop in one of London's top gastropubs. Here we'll discuss the pairing of beer and cheese, while sampling some traditional British cheeses along with other specialties.

Take Aways

Along the way, we will sample a range of British and local beers to experience the diversity of the country’s brewing industry. We will examine how all of these products fit into the British diet, along with other culinary traditions and philosophies. At the end of the walk, we will have gained an understanding of the significance of beer in British history, including its contribution to diet, its social status, and the decline and rebirth of the brewing industry in England.

Booking Instructions

Please note any food allergies or intolerances in the Notes box when booking.

Food enthusiasts, we suggest you also take a look at our London Food TourLondon Food Tour.

FAQ

Where do we meet? Where does it end?

Generally speaking, the walk begins and ends in the Shoreditch neighborhood. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map, and 24 hour phone number for any last minute issues.

What if it’s raining?

Tours operate rain or shine. There is some walking in between pubs, but the vast majority of this tour takes place indoors.

Can children join this tour?

The legal drinking age in the UK is 18. Under 18s are allowed on private bookings, but they can not drink.

Is this a walking intensive tour?

This walk covers less than 1 mile overall. There are plenty of opportunities to sit, and use the bathroom if needed. One of the bars we visit only has a bathroom on second floor, which requires walking up a flight of stairs. The other bars have ground floor bathrooms.

Set in one of the world's most iconic botanical landscapes and housing the largest collections of living, painted, and dried plants, the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens are a sensory embodiment of the global reach and passion for discovery that defined the British empire in the 18th and 19th centuries. On this Kew Gardens Tour, we'll discuss the force behind the development of these gardens as well as the present and future of Kew, as a center of research into plant genetics and participation in international conservation efforts.

Hop on a train from London to Hampton Court Palace, and visit the most well-known home of infamous Henry VIII. On this Hampton Court Tour, led by a local British historian, we will both appreciate the opulence and historical significance found throughout the grounds. Together, we will inspect the impressive Tudor frontage, the Great Hall, with its remarkable hammer-beam roof, and the huge kitchens that were once used to cook meals for over 1,000 people. We will also be able to see vestiges of several of Henry VIII's six queens, further informing our understanding of the history of the place—Catherine of Aragon’s symbol, the pomegranate, can be seen above a door frame, Jane Seymour’s arms decorate a ceiling, and it is in the Great Watching Chamber that Catherine Howard’s adultery was announced, leading to her execution.

• Hampton Court Tour led by a British History expert.
• Small groups - No more than six people.
• Examines the impressive Hampton Court, as well as the history of Henry VIII and other memorable residents
• Great for families

Hampton Court Tour

On the tour, while we will discuss Henry VIII and the Tudor palace, we will also discover that there is much more to glean about British history by visiting Hampton Court. We'll start our tour by disembarking the train and crossing the River Thames, where we will discuss the importance of the river to monarchs over the centuries. Upon entering the palace, our discussion will move to how, in 1236, the Knights Hospitallers of St. John Jerusalem acquired the Manor of Hampton and used it as a grange, or center, for their agricultural estates before it was leased in 1508 to Cardinal Wolsey, Henry VIII’s Chief Minister. Wolsey carried out vast building works and turned the manor into a magnificent palace; as such, we will discuss both his architectural innovations and his life.

" Our guide's knowledge of history kept us all captivated. It felt like reading a book you didn’t want to put down."

A Royal Residence

In the late 1600s, Hampton Court was adopted by the joint monarchs, William III and Mary II. They hired the great Baroque architect Sir Christopher Wren (the subject of our Christopher Wren Churches Tour) to rebuild the King’s and Queen’s Apartments. We will see the rooms that they used for public ceremonies as well as for private moments. while discussing the functions of these rooms and the daily lives of the monarchs who used them.

Royal Opulence

The Prince and Princess of Wales, the future George II and Queen Caroline, also lived at Hampton Court and redecorated the apartments using fashionable architect and interior designer William Kent. On our travels through the apartments, we will also see great works of art from the Royal Collection, including paintings, precious sixteenth-century tapestries, and the Renaissance masterpiece by Mantegna, "The Triumphs of Caesar."

To The Gardens

Then we will move onward to the gardens, where we will discuss the history from the Tudors to today and wander through the many different areas, from the formal gardens to the orchard, from the 200-year-old Great Vine to the Rose Garden, as well as to the site of Henry VIII’s tiltyard where tournaments were held. At the end, if you still have the energy, you might like to get lost in Hampton Court’s famous maze.

Looking for more royal splendor? Try our Tower of London Tour.

For private tours we can organize a bike excursion to Hampton Court and a lesson of Real Tennis at the Royal Tennis Court. Please ask our office for more info.

FAQ

Where do we meet? Where does it end?

The walk begins at Hampton Court station and ends inside the palace grounds. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with a map, and emergency phone number. Hampton Court is very easy to get to by train. South West Trains run direct from London Waterloo to Hampton Court. The journey only takes 35 minutes.

Can I take pictures?

Yes, photography and/or filming is permitted in all areas of the palace with the exception of the Chapel Royal, Royal Pew and Cumberland Art Gallery.

Is this tour good for kids?

Yes! We have some excellent family friendly docents who can appeal to the learning styles of children. Please book privately if you have children under 13. Feel free to provide us with information about your children such as favorite school subjects, and hobbies. This way we can match you with the best possible docent.

Will you pre-purchase tickets?

We pre-purchase tickets to Hampton Court. Your docent will have them on hand.

What if it’s raining?

Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your docent will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.

Is Hampton Court accessible?

Hampton Court Palace is an historic building and, therefore, has uneven surfaces. We therefore recommend that wheelchair users bring their own wheelchair for comfort and ease. Most of the routes within the palace are accessible to visitors unable to climb stairs as there is a lift to take visitors to the State Apartments on the first floor. Staff and docents will be happy to help. However, many of the staircases are wide and shallow (having been built for William III who was asthmatic).

Is this a walking intensive tour?

The walk is at a leisurely pace. There are occasional opportunities to sit, use the restroom, and get something to drink if needed.

Meet your guide near Bank tube station in central London, and start your journey through the dark side of medieval and Victorian London, when crime and violence ruled the streets.
Put in your headphones and listen to the intriguing live commentary as you walk with your guide, who narrates ghost stories about such notables as Charles Dickens and an ethereal female figure that haunts the Bank of England. Pay rapt attention to the tale of two murderous queens who sometimes cross phantom paths and have supposedly been seen fighting one another in the evening’s inky darkness.
Next, you’re led past medieval burial pits as your guide recounts the grisly histories of London’s less fortunate through epic grave robberies, witchcraft trials and public executions. Learn about the life and crimes of Jack the Ripper, London’s most infamous serial killer.
Visit Viaduct Tavern, a Victorian pub built upon Newgate Prison, which closed in 1904. Constructed in view of the prison’s former gallows, the tavern’s cellars are said to hold the last remains of its cramped cells, and employees of this age-old pub say it is plagued by a poltergeist.
Your 2-hour tour comes to an eerie end at Smithfield’s Market, once the site of regular executions, including the hanging, drawing and quartering of William Wallace in 1305. Finish a frightening evening of thrills and chills as you listen to the sinful stories of Bloody Mary and the ghost of St Bartholomew’s Hospital, known as the ‘Grey Lady.’
Please note: the order of sightseeing, as described above, is subject to change on the day of your tour.

This tour gives you a unique insight into life in London during the two World Wars. You will learn the effect of war on London as well as the effects of air raids and bombing and how Londoners survived, often spending days living in the underground stations and how families were torn apart by war.

Life in London continued despite this with many American, Australian, Canadian, New Zealandian and other Commonwealth troops stationed here. Romance bloomed despite war and many thousands of British girls found husbands among the visiting troops.

You’ll learn about the many songs that were made popular at the time have passed into British culture and still evoking those times.

This walking tour takes in the many memorials to both wars, you will learn of the role of the Royal Family in those hard times, and of course war heroes like Sir Winston Churchill. You’ll be taken past Churchill’s War Rooms, the old War Office, Downing Street and Parliament Square among many other famous sites.

Start off your walking tour to London with an introduction to culture and civilizations at the monumental collection of the British Museum, spanning 6,000 years of human history. It features items from all over the world like Samurai armor and rare Assyrian lion hunt reliefs. Our guides will take a serious but enjoyable approach towards the museum’s galleries, discussing primitive tribes and fallen empires through a carefully chosen selection of items. You will learn about the Mummy of Katebet, the Lewis Chessmen and the original Rosetta Stone.  Walk away with an understanding of what humans have achieved during our short history and hopefully you will be proud to call yourself a part of this incredible species.

After a break for lunch, continue with your guide to understand London through its history as you walk through its urban landscape. Our expert guides will peel back the layers as you walk past some of the most iconic places in central London like Trafalgar Square and the House of Parliament. Learn about Chaucer at Westminster Abbey or maybe bump into the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. The tour will pass through the sweeping green parks, bustling crowds, and quaint squares that define London. Learn about the monarchs and leaders, like Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill, while also taking advantage of your local guide, who will be more than willing to share a few of the city’s best kept secrets as you explore together.

To understand London, you first need to understand its long, complex history. Our expert guides will peel back the layers as you walk past some of the most iconic places in central London like Trafalgar Square and the House of Parliament. Learn about Chaucer at Westminster Abbey or maybe bump into the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street.

The tour will pass through the sweeping green parks, bustling crowds, and quaint squares that make up this fascinating urban landscape. Learn about the monarchs and leaders, like Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill, while also taking advantage of your local guide, who will be more than willing to share a few of the city’s best kept secrets as you explore together.

To understand London, you first need to understand its long, complex history. Our expert guides will peel back the layers as you walk past some of the most iconic places in central London like Trafalgar Square and the House of Parliament. Learn about Chaucer at Westminster Abbey or maybe bump into the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. The tour will pass through the sweeping green parks, bustling crowds, and quaint squares that make up this fascinating urban landscape. Learn about the monarchs and leaders, like Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill, while also taking advantage of your local guide, who will be more than willing to share a few of the city’s best kept secrets as you explore together.

Start off your private trip to London with an introduction to culture and civilizations at the monumental collection of the British Museum, spanning 6000 years of human history. It features items from all over the world like Samurai armor and rare Assyrian lion hunt reliefs. Our guides will take a serious but enjoyable approach towards the museum’s galleries, discussing primitive tribes and fallen empires through a carefully chosen selection of items. You’ll learn about the Mummy of Katebet, the Lewis Chessmen, and the Rosetta Stone – the actual rock, not the language learning program. Walk away with an understanding of what we humans have achieved during our short history and hopefully you’ll be proud to call yourself a part of this incredible species.

After a break for lunch, continue with your guide to understand London through its history as you walk through its urban landscape. Our expert guides will peel back the layers as you walk past some of the most iconic places in central London like Trafalgar Square and the House of Parliament. Learn about Chaucer at Westminster Abbey or maybe bump into the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. The tour will pass through the sweeping green parks, bustling crowds, and quaint squares that define London. Learn about the monarchs and leaders, like Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill, while also taking advantage of your local guide, who will be more than willing to share a few of the city’s best kept secrets as you explore together.

Meet your guide at St. Paul's Cathedral and then set off on a stroll to acquaint yourself with London’s finest old pubs. After passing iconic sights such as a former Shakespeare playhouse, head to Blackfriars in the City of London. As Britain’s banking hub for some 2,000 years, it’s no wonder that the City of London is home to some of London’s oldest pubs. Head inside one of the locals’ favorites to experience a proper London boozer at its finest — resplendent with wooden tables clustered around a horseshoe-shaped bar. Sip on quality local ales (not included) and soak up the bustling atmosphere while your guide points out features like the medieval wall frieze above the bar.

Head outside and walk along Fleet Street, another London neighborhood that brims with history. Wander through the cobblestone alleyways that typify this part of the city, and stumble upon a late 17th-century pub tucked away down a side street. Choose from the large selection of beers, ales and ciders on tap (not included) and sit down with your guide, hearing tales of British literary greats who once drank here – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Dickens and Alfred Tennyson, to name a few.

Leave your pub and work off your afternoon’s beers on a leisurely stroll to Covent Garden, a short walk away. Pass more historic pubs along the way, and hear tips from your guide about other drinking dens to visit in the capital for more beer or perhaps an evening meal at your own expense.

Meet your guide in central London, and then set off on a walking tour around Westminster, the central London borough and home of British espionage that became the target of heavy bombing during WWII. Learn about the government staff who sheltered from the bombs in bunkers beneath Westminster’s streets, and hear tales of Churchill and his charismatic leadership during the Blitz and beyond. Your guide has intimate knowledge of the London area as well as its WWII history.

After taking in classic London landmarks such as 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, stop at the Cenotaph — a famous British war memorial — to pay your respects to the fallen, and then pose for photos by the Statue of Winston Churchill.

Next, bid your guide a fond farewell and head underground to independently explore the wartime bunker of the Churchill War Rooms, a hastily created office that served as the British war cabinet’s hub throughout the duration of WWII.

Your first stop inside the site is Churchill Museum, an interactive exhibition space dedicated to the wartime leader. A piece of living history, the museum is home to an array of Churchill artifacts such as cigars and outfits as well as audio recordings of his inspiring wartime speeches. Hear little-known facts and anecdotes about the leader’s private and public life, and learn of the ‘special relationship’ he cultivated with President Roosevelt — a relationship that changed the course of history.

After visiting the museum, plug into your included audio guide and set off to discover the rest of the war rooms. The underground maze of bunkers and corridors became the home of secret government staff during the war, and many staff didn’t even see natural light from day to day. Learn about their isolation beneath ground, and hear of the top-secret conversations and day-to-day domestic crises that took place.

How long you spend inside the Churchill War Rooms is up to you, but many visitors find 1.5 hours to be sufficient.

You will walk through the same streets that Jack The Ripper famously prowled, as you stop in a variety of different tasting locations.

We start the tour with an "intro to Whitechapel" drink, followed by an exploration of the dark streets of the East End, where you will go behind the scenes of the famous Victorian year, 1888.

On the tour, you will taste of old-fashioned Gin a gin master who has one of London's largest collections. Afterwards, you will dig into some local BBQ MEAT, as only a butcher would, before visiting Spitalfield’s market and have a wine-tasting accompanied with nibbles. From Spitalfield’s Market, you will head over to Brick Lane, as you discover one of the East End’s most famous streets. It is there that we will finish our adventure, with a luscious lasting of homemade, gourmet African Chocolate.

Arrange your private pub tour and let the charismatic pub tour leader take care of the rest! The tour normally starts around 3pm. Your guide is an expert on the London pub scene, beer and alcohol history as well as local architecture and British customs (having written books on all five subjects). The guide is a former Beer Sommeliers of the Year and makes regular appearances on British television and radio to discuss the subject.

Visit four delightful pubs within the historic City of London at Holborn, Black Friars, and Fleet Street - each one unique and full of history. Visit a Victorian gin palace; an art nouveau public house that resembles a medieval hall and is the only one of its kind in the world; plus a Restoration ale-house – rebuilt in 1667 after it burned down in the Great Fire of London.

Your group will sit down for a complimentary half-pint in each London pub to soak up the atmosphere, and listen to fascinating anecdotes relating to the pubs and surrounding areas. A half-pint of beer or cider per person in each pub is included in the tour price, and your expert guide is happy to recommend which beer or cider to choose. A mini-tutored tasting will be given, advising on the aroma, flavor and body of your chosen ale.

If you're looking for a private tour which includes history, fun and character to go with your pint, then this is the perfect tour for you.

Escape the hustle and bustle of London and explore the highlights of South West England. Step back in time with your guide as you wander historic Canterbury. With your small group (no larger than 16 people), you'll see parts of the famous cathedral dating back to the 6th century. Over lunchtime you can enjoy stunning views from the White Cliffs of Dover or enjoy one of other attractions Dover has to offer. Your day concludes at the enchanting Leeds Castle; perched on two islands in a lake.

This is the perfect day away from London to Canterbury, Dover and Leeds Castle. Your incredible driver-guides will make history come alive through the day whilst on our luxury mini-bus and as you tour Canterbury by foot on an optional complimentary walking tour! 

The day begins as you leave London and journey towards Canterbury, home of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Enjoy your guide's storytelling as you make your way to the world-famous cathedral city. The cathedral dates back to 597AD, and you can’t help but be taken back in time in this city steeped in history, with Roman and Norman ruins and streets dotted with pretty timber-framed 16th and 17th-century houses.

The route continues to the closest point to France on mainland Britain, Dover. Here you can walk along the iconic White Cliffs. With spectacular coastal views, this is a must-do to truly experience the incredible English landscape. 

The final stop is Leeds Castle and Gardens, where you’ll be able to step straight off the bus and start exploring! A castle has stood on this breathtaking spot, built upon two islands in a lake, since 1119. Your guide will share the castle's incredible history, it has notably been a Norman stronghold, the private property of six of England’s medieval queens and a palace used by Henry VIII. Now it is one of the most visited properties in Britain. 

This incredible day tour offers the perfect mix of history and scenery for a day away from London, and you'll arrive back around 6:30pm.

Leave London’s Victoria Station by comfortable coach for a short drive to Windsor, home to the royal family for 900 years and official residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Windsor Castle's fortified walls dominate the delightful town that has grown up around it over the years (own expense). You will see the lavishly decorated State Apartments and St. George's Chapel.

Your host will show you to the entrance, leaving you for roughly two hours to explore independently and perhaps grab lunch (own expense).

In the afternoon, your tour continues to Hampton Court Palace in southwest London, approximately one hour away. With two hours to explore at leisure, you’ll learn all about the lives of famous monarchs who’ve lived in the palace like Henry VIII, plus admire the beautiful Tudor architecture and gardens. Lose yourself in the famous Hampton Court maze or relax with a coffee in the quaint Titlyard Café (own expense). Your tour returns to London Victoria by coach, where you’ll arrive in the early evening.

Start with a pickup from Victoria Coach Station, and then kick off your morning tour with a panoramic drive to Kensington Palace, once home to Princess Diana. Pop in your state-of-the-art Vox headphones and listen to your guide’s commentary about each site. On route, see the Royal Albert Hall, where many famous concerts are held, and the Albert Memorial.

Continue to Trafalgar Square, passing Whitehall and the Prime Minister’s residence on Downing Street. On arrival at Parliament Square, take in more top London sights including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

Next, head to St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Look on in delight as the Queen’s Foot Guards — clothed in crimson tunics and bearskin hats — march in time to drumbeats from a military band.

Your coach tour then finishes in Trafalgar Square, leaving you only a short walk from the Thames River. Make your own way to either Westminster Pier or Tower Pier to catch your Thames River cruise boat. Show your one-way ticket and then find yourself a seat on the open-air upper deck, or settle into a window-side seat in the heated lower saloon area.

With your camera in hand, gaze out over the water as you pass iconic London attractions such as London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the Shard. Learn the history behind each sight from the live commentary and help yourself to refreshments (own expense) from the onboard bar.

After roughly 45 minutes on the water, your cruise concludes at Tower Pier, if you boarded at Westminster Pier, or Westminster Pier, if you boarded at Tower Pier.

Head out of London on board your air-conditioned coach, and prepare to be greeted by the ancient enigma of Stonehenge. This fascinating stone circle has sat in the same spot on Salisbury plain for more than 5,000 years, yet nobody really knows why it is there or how it was constructed! It’s one of the most well-known sites in the world, and you can take your time, admiring it at your own pace on this independent afternoon trip from London.

Speculation about its purpose ranges from religious worship to studying the stars, so make sure you listen to your complimentary audio-guide to hear the different theories. See the beautiful Bluestone rocks on the inside of the circle, and wonder at how these 40-ton stones could have been transported and who could have carved them in such a distinctive way.

Make up your own mind on the mysteries surrounding Stonehenge, as you walk around the stone circle perimeter and marvel at this feat of engineering. You will have approximately one hour to spend at this UNESCO World Heritage Site, so make sure you bring your camera – you’ll have plenty of time to get shots from all angels.

Enjoy an intimate introduction to England's capital on a private 4-hour tour of London with a private guide and a driver and see some of the city's most iconic sights. Your private guide will collect you from the reception desk of your hotel at 10:00am or you can choose different time if you wish to start later. Discuss the flexible itinerary before you set off. Go to Buckingham Palace - official residence of the Royal Family. Watch the Queen’s Foot Guard march to a military band at the Changing of the Guards ceremony. Marvel at the eye-catching outfits and bearskin hats. Continue to Westminster Abbey - final resting place of kings, queens, poets and statesmen. Admire architectural details of the former Benedictine monastery, including the stone cloisters, Chapter House and Strong Room. Take in the Clock Tower, home to Big Ben, and the marvelous Gothic edifice of the Houses of Parliament. See Banqueting House and No. 10 Downing Street or Trafalgar Square and National Gallery. Famous Tower of London and Tower Bridge, magnificent St Paul Cathedral and many more places.



Then, walk up Whitehall, past Banqueting House and No. 10 Downing Street, to arrive at Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery. Conclude your tour back in your hotel.

Meet your private guide in central London in the morning, or enjoy a handy morning pickup at your hotel. Then, take a seat in your vehicle for the onward journey out of the city to Stratford-upon-Avon — nestled in the Warwickshire countryside.

On arrival, explore sites of interest associated with Shakespeare’s life such as his birthplace and burial ground, the thatched cottage of Anne Hathaway — his wife — and the walled gardens of Hall’s Croft, where his daughter lived.

Along the way, admire fine views over the half-timbered Tudor houses for which Stratford-upon-Avon is famous, and gain insight into life here in Shakespeare’s day.

When your time in Stratford-upon-Avon comes to an end, return in comfort to your London hotel to conclude your tour.

Make your own way to Parliament Square, where a bevy of London’s most famous sights, including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, await. Then, meet your guide outside Westminster Abbey and head inside to begin your tour.

Walk along the same aisle that Prince William and Kate Middleton took their first steps on as a married couple, and get up close to the Coronation Chair, where the British Royals have been crowned for hundreds of years. Stroll through the cloisters and see College Garden, thought to be the oldest garden in England, along with the graves of Dickens, Hardy and other famous writers.

After touring the abbey, make the short stroll to the Houses of Parliament, which sits resplendent along the banks of the Thames River. Marvel at the golden spires and statues that stud the building’s grandiose facade, and learn about the much-snapped Elizabeth Tower, which houses the Big Ben bell. Then, continue inside and enjoy a roughly 1.5-hour tour. Take in highlights such as Westminster Hall, Queen’s Robing Room, the Royal Gallery and Lords Chamber, and gain a fascinating insight into Britain’s modern-day politics.

Your tour then concludes outside the Houses of Parliament, leaving you free to continue sightseeing independently or make your own way back to your accommodation.

On the morning of your tour, make your own way to Westminster Abbey to meet your guide. Sitting alongside Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the history-steeped Gothic showstopper is one of the world’s most spectacular churches. It’s also been the site of all of England's royal coronations — with the exception of two — since the crowning of William the Conqueror in 1066.

With your guide and prebooked ticket, which entitles you to fast-track entry, head inside to learn more about the abbey’s storied past. Follow in the footsteps of some history’s most fascinating characters, from Elizabeth I to Queen Elizabeth II, as you walk down the black-and-white checkered isle toward the Coronation Chair. Peer out at the 900-year-old College Garden while you stroll through the impressive Cloisters, and spot the graves of some of the world’s most famous wordsmiths, including Dickens, Hardy and Tennyson in Poets’ Corner.

After touring Westminster Abbey, take a stroll to Horse Guards Parade or along the Mall to watch the Changing of the Guard. Listen to your guide talk about the ceremony’s history as the Queen’s Foot Guards, in their cherry tunics and bearskin hats, or the plumed Household Cavalry pass right in front of you.

Finish your tour outside Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s official London residence. See the balcony where William and Kate kissed before the public after their wedding in 2011, and hear stories of intruders and princes scaling the walls before bidding your guide goodbye.

Please note: If there is heavy rain — or if the Changing of the Guard is rescheduled to early morning — the ceremony will be replaced with an extended walking tour.

Meet your guide at the prearranged location in central London, and then set off on foot to begin your walking tour of London’s premier sights. If required, plug into a headset to help you hear your guide’s commentary clearly.

With your guide leading the way, stroll through the capital’s bustling streets and make your first stop at Trafalgar Square, home to the iconic National Gallery, the beautiful St Martin in the Fields church and Nelson’s column. Pose by the 'Landseer Lions' and listen to your guide share fascinating details about this famous hot spot.

Continue on to Whitehall, the center of Her Majesty’s Government, and view the street lined with official administration departments and ministries. Pass by Downing Street, home to the British Prime Minister, and the Horse Guards Parade, and proceed to Parliament Square.

Be awed by spectacular views of world-famous sights including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the magnificent Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton were married.

After your walking tour, enjoy a leisurely stroll to a nearby hotel, where you’ll indulge in a sumptuous afternoon tea. As you walk, learn from your guide about this quaint tradition that is thought to have been started by one of Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting.

On arrival, take a seat in the hotel’s lavish dining room and be delighted as the waiting staff present you with an exquisite spread of delicate finger sandwiches, homemade scones with clotted cream and preserves, fresh cakes and pastries, and a selection of British tea.

With your appetite sated, bid your guide a fond farewell before making your own way back to your hotel or next destination.

Meet your guide outside the Tower of London in the morning. Receive your early access ticket, then listen to your guide’s commentary before heading inside to explore independently. Bypass any entrance lines and step straight inside to see the opening ceremony. You’ll also be one of the first to enter the Jewel House, where the Crown Jewels — a dazzling collection of jewels still used today by Queen Elizabeth II — have been stored since 1303. You may also witness the opening ceremony, performed by the Yeoman Warders, or ‘Beefeaters.’
Stroll along the East Wall Walk for bird’s-eye views of the city streets, and see the ravens that have lived here since the reign of King Charles II. Visit the White Tower, Medieval Palace and Traitors’ Gate, and see the Tower Green where a string of traitors and monarchs, including Anne Boleyn, were executed.
After your visit, meet back up with your guide and head to a nearby pier where a cruise boat awaits. Hop aboard and find yourself a spot on deck, then have your camera ready as you set off on a 30-minute Thames River cruise. Listen to your guide share interesting details about the sights you see including St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
Disembark at Embankment Pier, then stroll with your guide to Buckingham Palace or Horse Guards Parade to watch the Changing of the Guard. Listen to your guide talk about the ceremony’s history, then watch as the crimson-clad Queen’s Foot Guards or the Household Cavalry perform this impressive procedure.
Finish your tour outside Buckingham Palace. See the balcony where the British Royal Family appear during major events, and hear tales of murderous intruders and amorous princes scaling the walls to get both in and out.
Please note: If there is heavy rain — or if the Changing of the Guard is rescheduled to early morning — the ceremony will be replaced with an extended walking tour.

Best of Royal London Walking Tour Including the Tower of London and Changing of the Guard (4 Hours)Meet your guide at the Tower of London, and head inside before the doors open to the general public. Learn about the tower’s history, see the opening ceremony, and then use your time inside to explore independently. Perhaps visit the White Tower, Medieval Palace and Traitors’ Gate, and see the Crown Jewels — a dazzling collection of jewels still used by Queen Elizabeth II today.

After, meet back up with your guide and walk to a nearby pier for your 30-minute cruise. As you glide along the Thames River, listen to your guide share details about the sights you see including St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

Disembark at Embankment Pier, then stroll to Buckingham Palace or Horse Guards Parade to watch the Changing of the Guard. As you watch the Queen’s Foot Guards or the Household Cavalry perform this impressive ceremony, listen to your guide talk about the history behind it.

Continue on foot through St James's Park and finish your tour by Buckingham Palace, where you’ll see the balcony where the British Royal Family appear during events. After your tour, enjoy two hours of free time for lunch (own expense) before meeting back up with your guide for your afternoon tour.

Please note: If there is heavy rain — or if the Changing of the Guard is rescheduled to early morning — the ceremony will be replaced with an extended walking tour.

Highlights of London Walking Tour Including Afternoon Tea (2.5 Hours)Meet your guide at the prearranged time and location in central London, and then set off on foot to begin your walking tour of London’s premier sights. If required, plug into a headset to help you hear your guide’s commentary clearly.

With your guide, stroll through the capital’s bustling streets and make your first stop at Trafalgar Square, home to the iconic National Gallery, the beautiful St Martin in the Fields church and Nelson’s column.

Continue on to Whitehall, the center of Her Majesty’s Government. Pass by Downing Street, home to the British Prime Minister, and the Horse Guards Parade, and proceed to Parliament Square.

Be awed by spectacular views of world-famous sights including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton were married.

After your walking tour, stroll to the 4-star St Ermin's Hotel, where you’ll indulge in a traditional afternoon tea. On arrival, take a seat in the lavish dining room and savor an exquisite spread of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and preserves, cakes and pastries, and a selection of British tea.

With your appetite sated, bid your guide a fond farewell before making your own way back to your hotel or next destination.

Choose between a 3-hour, 4-hour or full-day tour and explore London’s Downton Abbey filming locations with a private guide. Start your tour with a central hotel pickup by London black cab, and meet your professional driver-guide. Settle into your comfortable vehicle and listen to interesting insider facts and insights into the making of the Downton Abbey series and plans for future seasons. Designed to be fun and entertaining rather than a serious historical exploration, this family-friendly tour is a fantastic way to see London through the eyes of the Granthams. Be sure to book early, though — the tour is hugely popular!

Travel deep into the historical heart of London, delving into the prestigious districts of Westminster, Belgravia, Mayfair and the City — all regular haunts of English gentry in the early 1900s. Pause outside the house that served as the Granthams’ family home and see where Harold, the maverick American brother of Cora Crawley, had a picnic with love interest, Madeline, and his mother Martha in the Christmas Special of Season 4.

Pass by the restaurants and gentlemen’s clubs, such as Boodle’s and White’s, Lord Grantham might have frequented. Also, step daintily out of your cab to visit some of the shops where the aristocratic Lord and Lady Grantham might have bought their clothes and hunting regalia. And, discover from your guide how London’s poor lived at the time, often in cramped districts just a few steps from the genteel areas known to families such as the Granthams.

If you have opted to enjoy a 4-hour tour, spend an additional hour exploring more buildings and shops featured in Downton Abbey. Alternatively, select the full-day tour option to include a visit to the grounds of the Granthams’ London home (entry to the house not included) and lunch (own expense) in a 500-year-old Tudor hall that has been frequented by the capital’s elites for centuries.

Your tour finishes when your driver drops you at a convenient central London location.

Please note: all tour options include coffee breaks (own expense), restroom stops, and complimentary water. Depending on availability and group size, you might end up in an old-style black cab or a newer black cab. The maximum passengers per taxi is six.

Meet your guide at London’s Southbank, and set off at a leisurely pace to discover the sights and stories of London’s dark underworld. One of the most prosperous cities for centuries, London has also been home to some of the world’s greatest crimes, misdemeanors and political conspiracies — committed by the higher echelons of society as well as common criminals.

Learn about Guy Fawkes and his 1605 Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament — an event marked by the British on Bonfire Night — and hear about the Great Fire of London of 1666 when ferocious flames swept through the City of London. Stand by the Monument to the Great Fire of London (known simply to Londoners as ‘the Monument’) and ponder the theories that still surround the event today: was it started after a bakery accident or was it an act of arson as conspiracy theorists like to believe?

Look out for city sights and attractions linked to several of the stories as you walk, passing Blackfriars Bridge, associated with mafia assassinations, as well as the OXO Tower, London Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Millennium Bridge, Southwark Cathedral and more.

Hear about London’s most notorious art thefts as you pass the prestigious Tate Modern museum, listen to anecdotes about the hit man that mistakenly shot a dog, and prepare to be amazed by some of the more outlandish tales on the London streets. Is Paul McCartney the Paul McCartney of The Beatles fame or an imposter? Is the British government helping or controlling the lives of Londoners by Big Brother–style monitoring?

Besides the mysteries and speculation surrounding Princess Diana’s death in 1997, discover little-known facts behind some of London's well-documented bank raids, jewelry heists and more. Then, after 2.5 hours exploring the Southbank and surrounding area, make your way back to Monument Tube Station where your tour finishes.

As you walk the very route the ripper would have taken, 'Ripper- Vision' will practically bring you back to a time of gaslight and fog, a time of poverty, disease and silent footsteps in the shadows as the ripper hunted his victims.

The gruesome tale of Jack the ripper remains the greatest mystery in the history of crime. Your guide is a dedicated "Ripperologist" and enthusiast. This is the most up to date Jack the Ripper tour anywhere in London, the most exciting, the most shocking and a must for anyone who loves a good gruesome mystery. So join in and track down the most elusive criminal in history.

Hop aboard your air-conditioned coach or train at King’s Cross station in central London in the morning, then take your seat for the onward journey through the English countryside to Cambridge. Home to one of the oldest universities in the world, Cambridge boasts a colorful history dating back over 800 years.

On arrival, follow your guide on a 1-hour walking tour and discover top attractions such as the Bridge of Sighs, Queen’s College, and Trinity College. Along the way, admire the medieval churches, museums, and parks for which Cambridge is famous and gain insight into Cambridge’s rich heritage.

When your walking tour comes to an end, enjoy four hours’ free time to explore further at your leisure. Perhaps pop in to The Eagle pub for lunch (own expense), then take a walk on Parker’s Piece — widely considered among Cambridge’s most attractive open spaces.

Alternatively, rent a punt (own expense) and travel in style along the pretty Cam River for panoramic views along the backs of the ancient university buildings. When your time in Cambridge comes to an end, return in comfort to King’s Cross station in London to conclude your tour.

Day 1: Royal London Sightseeing Tour with Changing of the Guard Ceremony (3.5 Hours)
Following pickup from Victoria Coach Station, your morning tour begins with a panoramic drive to Kensington Palace, once home to Princess Diana. Pop in your state-of-the-art Vox headphones as your tour starts and listen to your guide talking clearly about each site. On route, see the Royal Albert Hall, where many famous concerts are hosted, and the Albert Memorial.

Continue to Trafalgar Square, passing Whitehall and the Prime Minister’s residence on Downing Street. On arrival at Parliament Square, view more top London attractions including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Kate Middleton were married.

Next, head to St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Accompanied by a military band, soldiers from the Queen’s Foot Guard march to Buckingham Palace in their cherry-red tunics and bearskin hats. This is Buckingham Palace’s oldest ceremony, and it is truly representative of the pomp and ceremony that make the British Royal Family so fascinating.

Your tour then finishes in Trafalgar Square.

Day 2: London to Stonehenge Independent Afternoon Trip with Audio Tour (5.5 to 6 Hours)
Head out of London on an air-conditioned coach to the UNESCO-listed Stonehenge. This fascinating stone circle has sat in the same spot on the Salisbury plain for more than 5,000 years, yet nobody knows why it is there or how it was constructed.

Plug into your included audio-guide to hear the different theories surrounding its purpose, and enjoy about an hour to wander around the stones independently. See the beautiful Bluestone rocks on the inside of the circle, and wonder at how these 40-ton stones could have been transported and who could have carved them in such a distinctive way.

When the time comes, return to your coach and travel back to your original departure point, where your tour concludes.

London City Sightseeing Tour Including Tower of London and City of London (4.5 Hours)Meet your guide in Trafalgar Square, and then settle into your comfortable seat aboard an air-conditioned coach. Pop in your state-of-the-art Vox headphones as your tour starts so you can hear your guide talking clearly about each site.

Your first stop is a guided tour of St Paul's Cathedral. Crowned by the magnificent dome that continues to dominate the London skyline, the cathedral was rebuilt after the Great Fire of London in 1666. In recent years it has seen the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spencer and the services for both the Golden Jubilee and 80th birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.

Next it's on to the Tower of London, the ancient fortress steeped in centuries of murder and treason. The splendidly dressed Beefeaters will tell you about the Tower's history, including tragic tales of royals and nobles who met their end within its walls. You'll also see the Crown Jewels, including the 6,000-year-old Koh-I-Noor diamond and impressive coronation regalia.

Then continue to the City of London, that famous square mile where new architecture towers above buildings dating back to medieval times.

Your tour concludes in Trafalgar Square around an hour before you need to meet for your next tour.

Jack the Ripper Tour and London Ghost Walk (3 Hours)Join up with your coach in Trafalgar Square or along the nearby Strand. Then, as you travel to your first stop, listen to your guide set the scene for your evening tour. The year is 1888. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has just published his first Sherlock Holmes story; meanwhile, in the Whitechapel district of London's East End, five women are brutally murdered by the world's first recognized serial killer, Jack the Ripper.

Gaze out of the window and see sights such as the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which is said to be the most haunted theater in London, and the Old Bailey — a site of numerous public hangings. You’ll also visit Fleet Street, home of the demonic barber Sweeny Todd and his accomplice Mrs Lovett, who allegedly baked pies from the flesh of his victims and sold them to unsuspecting customers.

In Whitechapel, jump out of your coach to inspect some of Jack the Ripper's murder sites, decipher the evidence and discuss the suspects. You'll even see Ten Bells Pub, established in 1752, where many of the merciless killer's victims came to drink.

The tour finishes at a traditional pub near Trafalgar Square, where you can calm your nerves with a drink (own expense).

Start your day trip from central London and travel to Burford in the Cotswolds, where the town’s magnificent high street features every variety of Cotswold stone. You'll have time to visit the town's small tea houses before continuing to Bibury for a short walking tour around the village.

Lunch beckons and what better way to satisfy your hunger than with a fabulous 2-course lunch in the heart of the Cotswolds? The hotel restaurant boasts a spectacular oak-beamed ceiling and a huge stone fireplace bearing supposed witches' marks, and serves a fabulous range of traditional food, including classic bread and butter pudding for dessert.

Continue to Bourton-on-the-Water in the afternoon, and stretch your legs during a brief 1-hour break. Then, journey onward to your final stop at lovely Stow-on-the-Wold. Use your free time in the village to explore at leisure and scout out the charming cafes, souvenir shops and photo-worthy limestone houses that line the streets.

Leave Stow-on-the-Wold in the late afternoon, and travel back to Victoria in central London where your tour finishes.

After an early start, you'll visit Windsor Castle, where more than 900 years of royal history await. Windsor Castle, the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world, is today one of the official residences of Her Majesty The Queen. Walk through the magnificent grounds and explore the State Apartments. If you're lucky you may catch the official Changing of the Guard or soak up the splendor of St. George's Chapel. After your visit to Windsor, you'll take a drive through Runnymede, where King John signed the Magna Carta.

Next, immerse yourself in the lavishly furnished rooms from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace! The palace hosts many official events and receptions held by the Queen, so areas are exclusively opened for limited time only during the summer so book early!

Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain's sovereigns since 1837, and today it is the Queen's official residence. Take the audio tour and learn about the royal history. Your visit is independent and will conclude here so you can explore at leisure.

Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration

This spectacular exhibition shows the many ways in which diamonds have been used by British monarchs over the last 200 years. It includes a number of The Queen’s personal jewels - those inherited by Her Majesty or acquired during her reign. The exhibition reveals how many of these extraordinary stones have undergone a number of transformations, having been re-cut or incorporated into new settings during their fascinating history.

Don’t miss a fantastic opportunity to visit one of Britain’s great heritage cities.

You will be met at Euston Station and provided with all your travel documents for the day. Check-in is at 07:40 and your train arrives in Chester at 10:15am.

On arrival hop aboard one of the City Sightseeing buses for a one hour circular tour that offers the perfect way to get your bearings. There are 16 stops around the City and frequent departures.

Chester is a city full of historic treasures, including the most complete City Walls in Britain, dating from the Roman occupation 2,000 years ago.

You can walk right around the city along the walls, crossing over ancient gateways and exploring its magnificent towers.

A bustling market town since the Middle Ages, Chester continues to offer the best in shopping opportunities, and the unique Rows galleries offer a literally different level of retail therapy.

As well as stores at street level there’s an upper tier of shops sheltered from the elements, offering a perfect vantage point for people watchers. Check out too the ancient cellars below street level, where bars and restaurants flourish – and look out for the oldest shopping façade in England, on Bridge Street.

There’s time to visit the majestic 1,000 year old Chester Cathedral, with its fine collection of Medieval carvings, enjoy the black and white Victorian architecture of Northgate, and make an obligatory photo stop at the Eastgate Clock, probably the most iconic clock in England after Big Ben, built to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

Your train from Chester departs at 17:35 and returns to London at 19:40.

Start your day by making your own way to Victoria Coach Station to meet your guide. Settle into your seat aboard a luxury coach, then relax on the journey to Oxfordshire, a picturesque county roughly 1.5 hours away.

Make your first stop at the UNESCO-listed Blenheim Palace (entry not included), the birthplace of Sir William Churchill. With your headset switched on to ensure you can hear your guide’s commentary clearly, set off on a tour of the lavish State Rooms. Delve into the history of the 18th-century manor house, and get up close to priceless works of art and tapestries. Then, enjoy a stroll through the landscaped gardens.

Next, hop back inside your coach and gaze out of the window as you journey through the Cotswolds, a region of outstanding natural beauty characterized by charming parishes and thatched villages. Stop in Bilbury, and walk with your guide to Arlington Row, a set of pretty cottages that date back to the 14th century.

Continue on to the ‘Little Venice’ of the Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water. Have your camera ready as you wander down the high street, lined with shaded greens. Then, feel the tranquility wash over you as you head across arched stone bridges for views of River Windrush. You'll also have the opportunity to stop in at a local restaurant or cafe for lunch (own expense).

After, head to Bampton, a quintessentially English village that featured as Downton village in the hit TV show Downton Abbey. See the church where Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley married, and the house that was once the Crawley family home. Pass Downton hospital and take in other sites such as the fictional Grantham Arms pub.

When the time comes, return to your coach for the journey back to London, where your day trip concludes at Victoria Station.

Leave London on your air-conditioned coach and travel west to Windsor, the home of Windsor Castle, an official residence of Queen Elizabeth II. Extending over 13 acres (five hectares), this imposing castle houses lavish State Apartments, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and magnificent St George’s Chapel, the burial place of King Henry VIII.
On arrival, show your pre-booked ticket or pay your entrance fee (depending on the option selected), and head inside to view the State Apartments, St George’s Chapel and other highlights, all brought to life by audio guide commentary. The display of British pageantry that is the Changing of the Guard takes place in the Castle precincts on an almost daily basis, so you may catch this colorful morning ceremony if your tour takes place on one of the days it occurs and if you have purchased an entrance ticket to the Castle.
Alternatively, use your time to explore the town of Windsor and stroll around its quaint streets. You may also see the New or Old Guard of soldiers marching to the Castle if your tour coincides with a Changing of the Guard ceremony. Usually accompanied by a military band, the Guards march through central Windsor in their bright red tunics and bearskin helmets, making an impressive sight.
After around two hours in Windsor, head for Stonehenge. This UNESCO-listed stone circle rears dramatically from Salisbury Plain and is cloaked in mystery. Perhaps purchase an entrance ticket from your guide and take an audio-guided tour that delves into the stones’ spiritual importance and their associations with figures such as King Arthur and Merlin. Or view Stonehenge independently from outside and ponder its mysteries yourself as you take photos of this incredible prehistoric monument.
Later, continue to Oxford. Home to Britain’s oldest university, the colleges of this honey-stoned town inspired scholars such as Lewis Carroll and J R R Tolkien. Take an included walking tour to admire Christchurch College, the Bodleian Library and Sheldonian Theatre as you listen to your guide’s crystal-clear commentary on your Vox headphones.
Afterward, return to London where your tour ends with a drop-off at Victoria coach station.

Begin with a pickup from Victoria Coach Station. Hop aboard a luxury coach and plug into your state-of-the-art Vox headphones so you can hear your guide’s commentary as you journey into the beautiful English countryside.

After a 2-hour drive, arrive in the charming Wiltshire town of Salisbury, known for its 750-year-old cathedral that boasts the tallest spire in England. Set off to explore independently, or upgrade for a guided tour of the cathedral with your guide.

Enter Salisbury Cathedral and soak up the history and grandeur of one of the leading examples of Early English architecture. Then, visit the church’s chapter house, which displays one of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta. Spend two hours perusing the cathedral, exploring the captivating town and having lunch (own expense) at your leisure before boarding the coach and drive to your next destination.

Traveling even further back in time through the rolling Wessex landscape, you will arrive in Stonehenge. Who dragged these massive stones to this lonely plain near Salisbury 5,000 years ago, and why? These questions have haunted the minds of centuries of scholars. You will have the opportunity to walk around these magical stones and contemplate the landscape in which they were erected so many centuries ago.

Next, return to your coach and travel 30 minutes to the UNESCO-listed city of Bath, famous for its elegant Georgian architecture. Take in sights such as Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge and the Circus and Assembly Rooms.

Should you wish, upgrade to enjoy a visit to the Roman Baths, the best-preserved public baths from the Ancient Roman world, beautifully restored during the Victorian era. Hear from your guide about the source of these famous hot springs and discover the baths’ uses by the Celts and Romans. Alternatively, enjoy free time to explore the city center at your own pace.

When the time comes, settle into your seat aboard your luxury coach and relax during the 2.5-hour journey back to London.

Pop in your state-of-the-art Vox headphones as your tour starts and listen to your guide talking clearly about each site. If you want to wander aside and take photos of attractions, you won’t miss any of the commentary!

Find your own inspiration in the sense of tradition and intellectual curiosity that pervades this lovely City. You will visit Christchurch College, where Harry Potter scenes were filmed and where Albert Einstein studied. On your walking tour of Oxford you will see the Bodleian library and the picture-perfect College courtyards for which Oxford is justifiably famous.

Through scenic countryside to Cambridge, bridging centuries of scholarly rivalry between these two venerable institutions! Cambridge's stately Gothic style College buildings rise spectacularly from the greenery along the River Cam where students and visitors enjoy punting along the River.

You will visit the magnificent perpendicular chapel of King's College, founded in 1441, which is the finest and grandest example of late medieval Gothic architecture in England, and a fitting tribute to the great minds that have studied here. During your walking tour of the city filled with beautiful buildings and historical quirks, you'll visit the so-called "Bridge of Sighs", named after its look-a-like in Venice and several other Colleges that make up the University, each with their own stories to tell.

Start your day meeting your professional guide at the prearranged meeting point in Victoria Coach Station to begin your tour. Hop aboard your first-class, luxury coach and relax as you travel northwest, away from the hustle and bustle of England’s capital.

Your first stop of the tour is Oxford. Known as the ‘City of Dreaming Spires,’ Oxford is home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world. On arrival, step out of your coach and enjoy a walking tour of the city center with your guide.

Plug into your state-of-the-art headset and listen to your guide talking clearly as you pass by the elegant, timeworn buildings and courtyard that have inspired generation of scholars, including Bill Clinton and his daughter Chelsea, Hugh Grant and Kate Beckinsale. See the Bodleian Library and Christ Church College, where Harry Potter scenes were filmed and where Albert Einstein studied.

Next, enjoy a brief stop for refreshments (own expense) before hopping back inside your coach and traveling through the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, an area steeped in gentle English beauty, history and heritage. Look out the window to admire the thatched-roof cottages and charming inns. On arrival in Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of the famous playwright William Shakespeare, visit Shakespeare's Tudor-era home, with its typical parlor, bedrooms, kitchen and buttery. After, enjoy some free time for lunch (own expense) at one of the many charming eateries.

Then it's a short journey to medieval Warwick Castle, whose magnificent towers and ramparts remain mostly intact. Travel back through 1,000 years of history as you cross the footbridge to a bygone world of banquets, battles and ceremony. Climb the winding staircase to the Princess Tower, or, if you're feeling brave, visit the spine-chilling dungeons where prisoners were tortured. You might wish to take a stroll through the castle's lovingly tended gardens, where archery, falconry and jousting take place in the summer months.

Your day trip then concludes back at Victoria Coach Station in the evening.

Meet your guide in central London in the early morning, then depart the city by luxury coach. Sit back and relax as urban sights give way to the greenery of the English countryside.

Make your first stop in Bath, an elegant West Country city that owes its name to its historical hot springs. Plug in your headphones (if required) to help you hear your guide’s commentary clearly, then set off on foot to explore the UNESCO-listed city.

See the city’s premier sights and absorb the caramel-hued Georgian architecture, crescents and terraces that inspired two of Jane Austen’s novels: Persuasion and Northanger Abbey.

After, enjoy free time to wander the cobblestone streets at your leisure. Perhaps, visit the Roman Baths or the Jane Austen Visitor Centre (own expense). Celebrating one of the city’s most famous residents, the center gives a snapshot of life during the Regency period.

When the time comes, hop back inside your coach and head north to the Cotswolds, a region of outstanding natural beauty characterized by charming parishes and thatched villages. Continue to the village of Lacock. Untouched by modern hands, this charming parish has been featured in many films including Pride and Prejudice and the Harry Potter movies. Then, Break for lunch (own expense).

Make your final stop at the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Stonehenge. Believed to be around 5,000 years old, the prehistoric stone circle is shrouded in mystery. Walk around the stones and the visitor center with your guide, listening to the many theories about how and why it was created.

After your visit, return to your coach for the journey back to London. Your day trip concludes back at the original start point.

Visit Oxfordshire, the Cotswolds and Wiltshire on your 5-day tour from England. Just west of London, the three counties fall into an area often called the ‘Heart of England’ in reference to its green countryside, beautifully preserved architecture and quaint towns. Your small-group tour includes four nights of 3-star hotel accommodation: two nights in Chipping Campden (the Cotswolds) and two nights in the spa town of Bath.

Stonehenge stands alone in the vast empty tract of Salisbury plain. Its origins date back nearly 5,000 years and it has been home to pagan religion, spiritual worship and public debate ever since. What was this vast collection of stones intended for? Was Stonehenge an observatory of the moon, a temple to the sun, or an elaborate cemetery? Who were the people who carried and carved these 40 ton rocks? Prepare to be amazed as you walk around its perimeter and ponder this mysterious feat of ancient engineering.

Note, you can spend approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes at Stonehenge. The journey from London takes just over 2 hours each way.

Board a coach at the Victoria Coach Station and relax on the 1-hour drive south to Leeds Castle. Built in 1119 as a Norman stronghold, Leeds Castle is beautifully situated on an island in a lake.

Enjoy a private viewing of this famous castle before it opens to the public. Learn how the property has changed hands and transformed over the years, from a 13th-century royal palace for King Edward I to the residence of Henry VII’s first wife, Catherine of Aragon, in the 16th century all the way up to the last private owner, American heiress Lady Baillie, who is credited for the castle’s remarkable preservation and redecoration.
Following a guide, explore the galleries, bedrooms, chapel, banquet hall and courtyards. Then take time to explore the surrounding gardens, walk around the lake and find your way through the famous maze.

Re-board the coach for a coastal drive to the White Cliffs of Dover, a chalky cliff face that lines part of the English Channel. As you’ll learn, these cliffs are symbolic throughout Britain, as they were the entry point for past war invasions and formed the first sight of England for travelers coming from Continental Europe.

Drive up and over the cliffs to Canterbury. Here you’ll visit Canterbury Cathedral, one of the most important Christian churches in the world and today a UNESCO World Heritage site. Immortalized by Geoffrey Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales, this striking Gothic church is nearly 1,700 years old!

After a guided tour of the cathedral, enjoy free time to explore the old town and have lunch at one of the many cafés or restaurants (own expense).

Continue your journey to the London borough of Greenwich, notable for its maritime history and as the birthplace of many English rulers from the House of Tudor. Take a walking tour to learn about Greenwich’s history, architecture, palaces and parks.

Arriving back in central London in the evening, hop on a boat and savor the views on a relaxing sunset cruise along the Thames River. Have your camera ready as you pass top London attractions including Tower Bridge and the Tower of London against the sparkling city skyline.
Arrive at Embankment Pier to conclude your trip.

Depart from near Victoria Railway Station in central London and leave the hustle and bustle behind you as you travel out into the English countryside by luxury coach. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride as London’s urban scenery gives way to the open greenery of the countryside.

First, head through the rolling Wiltshire plains to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Stonehenge, widely considered one of the most famous prehistoric monuments in the world. The enormous stones are believed to have been brought from the Preseli Mountains in Wales — a distance of over 280 miles (450 kilometers) — sometime between 3,000 BC and 2,000 BC, though to this day nobody is sure of the exact reasons for their arrangement and placement. Marvel at the huge stone circle, discover the many mysteries surrounding it and decide for yourself why Stonehenge was built.

Continue onward to the fine city of Bath, birthplace of authoress Jane Austin. Explore the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage-listed city — considered by many to be one of the prettiest cities in England — with your guide, and enjoy capturing its attractive Georgian architecture, crescents and terraces on camera. After your tour, enjoy a little free time to wander the cobbled streets and peruse the shops at your leisure.

Head north from Bath through the heart of the Cotswolds, widely thought of as one of the most beautiful stretches of countryside in England. Take in breathtaking views of open fields criss-crossed by dry stone walls as you travel, and bustling market towns with magnificent churches. Enjoy the spectacular scenery from the comfort of your coach.

Arrive in the charming town of Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare and home to the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company. Stratford is a charming market town set in the heart of rural England, with a delightful river winding its way slowly through the town. Enjoy Champagne and scones in Shakespeare's garden (the reception will take place indoors in winter), stretch your legs and explore Stratford to soak up the town’s wonderfully welcoming atmosphere. As of April 1, Shakespeare's birthplace will be replaced with a visit to Shakespeare's Schoolroom, with Champagne and scones included.

At the end of your time in Stratford-Upon-Avon, hop back in your coach for the return journey to London, where your tour will conclude.

Please note: during busy periods the order of the itinerary may change.

Stonehenge
Enjoy an unforgettable start or end to your day in London with an exclusive trip to Stonehenge – that most mysterious of ancient sites. Choose from two tour times to see the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What makes this tour so incredible is the access you’ll receive to Stonehenge’s inner stone circle, which is normally restricted to visitors. This day tour ensures a unique viewing up close to the magnificent monument. Your guide will give you a full brief on the many mysteries that surround Stonehenge as you take in the atmospheric landscape.

This day trip from London also includes visits to Oxford and Windsor Castle.

Oxford
Soak up the local culture on a walking tour around the historic town of Oxford, and see the Oxford Colleges, where notable figures like Bill Clinton, J.R.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis received an education. Also check out the Old Bodleian library, a working research library that dates back to the year 1602.

Windsor Castle
Your day tour will continue to Windsor Castle, home of the Queen of England. This majestic castle is the scene of 900 years of British history, and generations of the British Royal Family have conducted their business here. See the formal State Apartments in all their lavish glory, as well as St George’s chapel — home to the Order of the Royal Garter, made up of 25 knights of the British Empire.